Magnetic-restrictive separator



MAGNETIC-RESTRI CTIVE SEPARATOR Filed July 27, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1965 s. G. FRANTZ 3,221,882

MAGNETIC-RESTRI CTIVE SEPARATOR Filed July 27, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 O Nl!) INVENTR SAMUEL @.FRANTZ ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1965 A s. G. FRANTZ3,221,882

MAGNETIC-RESTRICTIVE SEPARATOR Filed July 27. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 wwwam ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,221,882 MAGNETIC-RESTRICTIVESEPARATGR Samuel G. Frantz, Princeton, NJ., assignor to S. G. FrantzCo., Inc., Trenton, NJ., a corporation of New York Filed July 27, 1961,Ser. No. 127,179 6 Claims. (Cl. 2113-223) This invention relates toimprovements in Huid-particle separators and, more particularly, toimprovements in separators which utilize combined restrictive(straining) and magnetic techniques for separating particles from afluid such as oil. The invention also relates to improvements upon theseparator of Patent 2,508,666 issued May 23, 1950 to the applicantherein.

It is one object of the invention to provide performance improvements inhuid-particulate separators, specific objects being to improveefficiency, minimize pressure drop and to separate a wider range ofparticle type-s and sizes.

A further object of the invention is to reduce the maintenance burdenassociated with fluid-particulate separators by providing a constructionwhich is readily checked, disassembled, cleaned and reassembled withrelative ease.

A still further object of the invention is to impart automatic pressurerelief, and provide` greater ruggedness and durability in suchseparators while at the same time promoting economy of manufacturethereof.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be setforth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or maybe learned 'by practice with the invention, the same being realized andattained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed outin the appended claims.

Briefiy and generally, the invention provides a fluidparticulateseparator comprising a stack of annular grids dished in alternatedirections for parallel filtering of the fluid to be treated; the gridseach have a plurality of specially formed passageways bounded bymagnetized wall members having magnetic fiux concentration particularlyat the edges thereof. The resultant magnetic forces together with thedimensions and configuration of the passageways provides effectiveseparation of both ferrous and non-ferrous particles. The inventionfurther comprises the deployment of said grid stack in novel casing andcover structures which facilitate both maintenance and operation of theseparator. Further features of the invention relate to the configurationof said stack which provides both effective filtering and automaticpressure relief.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangementsand combinations herein shown and described.

Serving to illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention are thedrawings of which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view in section of the separator of theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary View taken along the lines 2 2 ofFIGURE 4;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded elevation view partly in section taken along thelines 3 3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a View partly in section taken along the lines 4-4 of FIGURE3, the grid interstices being exaggerated for illustration purposes;

FIGURE 5 is an exaggerated fragmentary plan view of one of the grids ofthe invention;

FIGURE 6 is a developed view of an alternate grid construction;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation view of the tape of FIG- URE 6; and

ICC

FIGURE 8 is an elevation view in section of a modified form of theseparator according to the invention.

As illustrated in the figures, the invention comprises a generallycylindrical casing 1, having an inlet port 2 and a diametricallyopposing outlet port 3. Centrally disposed in the casing is an assemblycomprising spaced coaxial permanent magnets 4a and 4b, of generallyannular construction. Disposed therebetween is a coaxial array S ofdished annular grids 5a and 5b. The grids are essentially in linecontact at their inner and outer peripheries and the peripheral face ofeach grid is irnperforate.

The above arrangement defines an annular chamber 6 between thecombination of magnets and grid stack, and the casing. Inlet port 2communicates with this chamber while 'outlet port 3 communicates withthe interior of the stack which defines a space 7 delineated by thegrids and permanent magnets.

Fluid flow through the filter is as indicated by the arrows. The flow isgenerally radial through the stack 5, the particle-bearing fluidentering the convergent spaces between adjacent grids 5a and 5b,thereafter passing in axial direction through the grid passageways,thence t0 the divergent spaces between adjacent grids and into thechamber 7 from which fiow to outlet 3 occurs. It may be seen that thegrids act in parallel.

Each grid as shown in FIGURES 2, 4, 5, comprises windings 13a of asubstantially smooth tape alternated with windings 13b of irregulartape. One or more extra turns of winding 13a defines inner and outerenclosure bands 12a and 12b respectively. The winding 13b may have, forexample, a dimpled, crimped, or embossed surface. Preferably, the smoothand rough windings are formed of respective single tapes wound in spiralconfiguration. The elevations on the irregular tape extend alternatelyin opposite directions. The tape arrangement serves to dene theinterstices which characterize the grid structure when the tapes havebeen wound and joined. Each tape 13a and 13b is made of soft steel orsimilar magnetizable material, such as stainless chromium steel havinghigh permeability and low coercive force.

One convenient way of forming the grids is to assemble and braze thetapes and thereafter impart the frustoconical configuration by an axialpressing operation. In one embodiment, the percentage open area thusprovided by the grids is 40%. Larger percentages may be obtained byreducing tape thickness or by altering the surface contours of theirregular strip component.

As seen in FIGURES l-4, the stack 5 of grids is slideably disposed on acage structure comprising a plurality of circumferentially displacedrods 9 joined at their ends by respective rings 10 and 11. The outerdiameters of rings 10 and 11 are each greater than the inner diameter ofthe grids thus insuring retention of the grids in their proper orderduring disassembly procedures while, at the same time, permitting thegrids to be separated and easily cleaned. Since the grids may bepartially separated, all regions of the stack are accessible for thiscleaning operation.

For facilitating access to the grid assembly and for other purposesnoted hereinafter, means are provided comprising a cover assemblygenreally indicated at 12. As embodied, this cover assembly comprises anupper generally circular plate 14 and a lower plate 15, spacedtherefrom. Plates 14 and 15 also serve to define an outlet passageway 16which communicates with port 3. The plates are interconnected by aplurality of connecting posts 18. The annular magnet 4b is mountedpreferably in fixed relation on lower plate 15. Upper plate 14 includessealing means, illustratively in the form of an O ring 20, which acts toseal the top opening in casing 1, while in threaded engagement withlower plate 15, is a magnet ferrule 30 which functions to secure magnet4b to the lower plate.

Cover assembly 12 also includes releasable coupling means comprising arod 22 having on its external end a clamping nut 23. The clamping nuthas a diametric bore which aligns with a bore in rod 22 to form apassageway in which is inserted a handle 25. Coaxial with nut 23 on rod22 is washer cup 27 conveniently provided with a sealing O ring 28 whichcontacts the upper face of cover plate 14. Rod 22 passes axially throughplate 14 and is rotatable with respect thereto.

In axial alignment with rod 22 are connecting means adapted forconnection thereto comprising a stator rod 32 which is installed in andfixedly secured to the base of casing 1. Rod 32 includes a reduceddiameter section 34 which defines a rim which is seated in a recess inan annular magnet washer 36. The latter is nested inside cage ring 11,both of these components being seated in turn on a ferrule 39 whichrests on the bottom of casing 1 within the interior portion of lowermagnet 4a. Reduced section 34 of rod 32 is threaded in a bushing 404conveniently keyed to the base of casing 1 as by key 42. The rod 32 iskeyed to the bushing as by key 43. The lower shoulder on rod 32 acts toretain washer 36, ferrule 39 and lower magnet 4a in position withrespect to the base.

The upper end of rod 32 is threaded to engage with an axial threadedbore in the end of rod 22. When rod 22 is rotated into the engagedposition relative to rod 32 by turning handle 25, cover assembly 12 ispulled down into the installed position (sealed relative to casing 1)and the annular magnet 4b compresses grid stack 5, thus insuring asealing contact between adjacent contacting grids at the inner and outerperipheries thereof. For disassembly, the rod 22 is rotatably disengagedfrom rod 32 thus lifting cover structure 12 and permitting withdrawal ofthe cage structure and angulated grids loosely coupled thereto (seeFIGURE 3). It may be seen from the above that, disassembly, cleaning andreassembly are simply and easily effected. For draining the separator,casing 1 is provided with a drain port 50 in the base thereof, the portbeing normally sealed as by a pipe plug 51.

The unique grid arrangement of the invention, in addition to providingeffective straining and magnetic separation, also provides pressurerelief. It may be seen that the grid arrangement is responsive to thepressure drop associated with fiuid fiow in such a manner that excesspressure tends to separate the inner contiguous peripheries of the gridelements. Normally, this action is prevented by the axial compressiveforce applied to the grids by way of the connective coupling of rod 22to rod 32 which causes upper magnet 4b to mutually compress the gridsbetween that magnet and magnet 4a. Should the pressure drop becomeexcessive, however, this compressive force will be overcome. Theadjacent peripheral sur-faces will separate causing the grids to providebypass pressure relief. This action may be optimized by selecting aconical angle for the grids which will yield a sufiicient reactiveelastic force to break the inner sealed surfaces when pressure dropreaches a predetermined value above normal.

The magnetic field originated by magnets 4a, 4b produces magnetizationof the grids a, 5b. The resultant iiux converging at the edges of thegrid tapes produces an effective and powerful attracting force forcollecting ferromagnetic particles which thereby adhere to these edges.In addition, the magnets per se also attract and collect some of theparticulate ferrous contaminants. The return ferromagnetic circuit ofthe separator includes plates 14 and 15 and casing 1, all of which areof steel, cast iron or other magnetizable material- The interstitialcharacter of the grids provides an etiective straining action fornon-magnetic materials, eg., lint, sand, non-ferrous metals and thelike.

By way of providing exemplary data descriptive of one embodiment of theinvention certain specifications are listed below:

Grid Tapes:

Width 0.156".

Thickness 0.006". Open area 40%. Material Type 430 chromium stainless.Grid O.D 5%6". Grid I.D. 3". Number of turns per tape (approx.) 59. Coneangle, included* 165. Width of opening .005". Brazing Copper. Magnets:

Material Alnico-V. Ferrule 30 Brass. Ferrule 39 Babbitt. Casing:

Material Cast iron. Other materials:

Washer 36 Babbitt. Rings 10, 11 Brass. Rods 9 Brass. Rod 22 Brass. Rod32 Brass.

*As formed by pressing in die; angle is larger when grids are compressedin assembly with magnets.

An alternate form of irregular tape profile is shown in FIGURES 6 and 7,where the edges of a tape 50 have been crimped to provide curvilinearelevations 50a and 50b extending in alternately opposite directions in agenerally sinusoidal fashion. The irregular tape 50 is wound with asmooth tape (not shown) contact being made at the junction pointsdefined by these elevations; the tapes are thereafter joined and thecombination dished as hereinbefore described. By Way of modification,tape 50 may be crimped across its entire width.

A modified form of the separator, according to the invention, is shownin FIGURE 8. As embodied, this separator comprises a generallycylindrical casing 100, one end of which is threaded and of openconstruction. Disposed axially Within the interior of casing is a gridstack 101 comprising grids 102 constructed as described hereinbefore anddisposed between magnets 104 and 105. Disposed axially in casing 100 andextending through the interior of stack 101 is a re taining structurecomprising a cage assembly 106. Assembly 106 at one end seats on aferrule 108, which is fixed to the base of casing 100 as by screw 109.Ferrule 108 serves to retain annular magnet in fixed relation withrespect to the base of casing 100.

Cage assembly 106 comprises a plurality of circumferentially displacedrods 111 retained in a pair of rings 112 at opposite ends of the rods.The upper end of assembly 106 extends through the interior of magnet 104and through a seat structure 114 to which magnet 104 is secured as byferrule 115.

The threaded end of casing 100 is screwed into a cover or head assembly120, normally retained in the system pipe line (not shown). An outletport 121 is provided therein, which port communicates with lthe interiorof stack 101 and magnets 104 and 105. An inlet port 122 is also providedin the head assembly and communicates with the annular space betwen themagnet-grid assembly and the walls of casing 100. The magnet 104 isattached by means of the ferrule 115 to coupling member 114 which isthen permanently assembled by a press operation to integral rim 124 ofhead 120. When the casing 100 is screwed in to position in head assemblya compressive force is applied to the grid stack 101 by magnets 104causing the adjacent inner and outer pen'pheries of the grids to form apressure-responsive seal. For gaining access to stack 101, casing 100 isunscrewed, permitting withdrawal of cage assembly 106, and the gridsloosely coupled thereto. Except in the particulars noted, thearrangement of FIGURE 8 is similar to the arrangement of FIGURES 1-5 andmay include the grid arrangements shown therein or the grid arrangementof FIGURES 6, 7,

The separator of the invention may be employed in varied applicationincluding lubricant, cooling and hydraulic systems. In studying andpracticing the invention, modifications to the exemplary structure willoccur to those skilled in the art. The invention is accordingly notlimited to the specic mechanisms shown and described but departures maybe made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention and without sacricing itschief advantages.

What is claimed is:

1. A magnetic-restrictive separator adapted to separate ferrous andnon-ferrous particles from a uid, comprising an external casing havingports therein for the reception and discharge of said fluid, a stack ofcoaxial, generally frusto-conical opposing annular magnetizable gridsdisposed in said casing in paired relationship so as to define anannular chamber between said paired grids and the walls of said casingand a space in the interior of said stack, said chamber and said spacecommunicating respectively with said ports, said stack including fluidpermeable, internal grid support means extending beyond the ends of saidstack with means thereon to loosely retain said grids when saidseparator is disassembled, said grids being freely separable from eachother when said stack iS removed whereby both sides of said grid areaccessible for cleaning While at the same the grids are maintained intheir predetermined order, said stack being disposed in said casing soas to permit said iluid to flow in a generally radial direction betweensaid chamber and said space and in parallel paths through said grids,and magnetic means in said casing at opposite ends of said stack formagnetizing said grids, said magnetic means being in releasablearrangement with said stack and support means whereby said stack andsupport means can be removed from the influence of said magnetic meanswithout the need for disassembling said grids, said grids beingcompressed betWen said magnets and having suiicient rigidity togenerally preserve said frusto-conical shape; said magnetization of saidgrids and the interstitial character thereof being adapted to separatesaid ferrous and non-ferrous particles from said uid.

2. A separator as set forth in claim 1 in which said grid support meansinclude retention means at the ends of said grid support means toloosely retain said grids.

3. A separator as Set forth in claim 1 in which said grids comprisewound layers of a relatively smooth ferrous tape alternated with layersof roughly surfaced tape to form interstices in said grids.

4. A separator as set forth in claim 1 in which said magnetic meanscomprise a pair of annular continuous magnets on opposing ends of saidstack, said magnets being exposed to said fluid.

5. A separator as set forth in claim 1 including coupling means and inwhich said grids are releasably urged into mutual con-tact by way ofcompression applied via said coupling means and said magnetic means,said grids having resilience operable in the presence of excessivepressure to overcome said compression and to separate whereby pressurerelief is provided.

6. A separator as set forth in claim 1 in which said external casingcomprises a return magnetic circuit.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,074,085 3/ 1937Frantz 210-223 X 2,083,148 6/1937 Coulombe 210-356 2,482,321 9/ 1949Copeland 55-520 X 2,490,635 12/ 1949 Kisch 210-223 2,508,666 5/ 1950Frantz 210-222 2,887,230 5/1959 Sicard 210-222 FOREIGN PATENTS 566,3077/ 1960 Belgium. 65,017 1/ 1956 France (Addition to No. 1,019,934).630,915 12/ 1927 France. 667,362 10/ 1929 France. 1,083,008 6/1960Germany.

352,038 7/ 1931 Great Britain. 691,388 5/ 1953 Great Britain.

REUBEN FRIEDMAN, Primary Examiner.

HARRY B. THORNTON, EUGENE BLANCHARD,

Examiners.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No.3,221,882 December 7, 1965 Samuel G. Frantz It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and thatthe said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line 35, after "same" insert u time Signed and sealed this20th day of December 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Anesting Officer EDWARD I. BRENNER Commissioner ofPatents

1. A MAGNETIC-RESTRICTIVE SEPARATOR ADAPTED TO SEPARATE FERROUS ANDNON-FERROUS PARTICLES FROM A FLUID, COMPRISING AN EXTERNAL CASING HAVINGPORTS THEREIN FOR THE RECEPTION AND DISCHARGE OF SAID FLUID, A STACK OFCOAXIAL, GENERALLY FRUSTO-CONICAL OPPOSING ANNULAR MAGNETIZABLE GRIDSDISPOSED IN SAID CASING IN PAIRED RELATIONSHIP SO AS TO DEFINE ANANNULAR CHAMBER BETWEEN SAID PAIRED GRIDS AND THE WALLS OF SAID CASINGAND A SPACE IN THE INTERIOR OF SAID STACK, SAID CHAMBER AND SAID SPACECOMMUNICATING RESPECTIVELY WITH SAID PORTS, SAID STACK INCLUDING FLUIDPERMEABLE, INTERNAL GRID SUPPORT MEANS EXTENDING BEYOND THE ENDS OF SAIDSTACK WITH MEANS THEREON TO LOOSELY RETAIN SAID GRIDS WHEN SAIDSEPARATOR IS DISASSEMBLED, SAID GRIDS BEING FREELY SEPARABLE FROM EACHOTHER WHEN SAID STACK IS REMOVED WHEREBY BOTH SIDES OF SAID GRID AREACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING WHILE AT THE SAME THE GRIDS ARE MAINTAINED INTHEIR PREDETERMINED ORDER, SAID STACK BEING DISPOSED IN SAID CASING SOAS TO PERMIT SAID FLUID TO FLOW IN A GENERALLY RADIAL DIRECTION BETWEENSAID CHAMBER AND SAID SPACE AND IN PARALLEL PATHS THROUGH SAID GRIDS,AND MAGNETIC MEANS IN SAID CASING AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID STACK FORMAGNETIZING SAID GRIDS, SAID MAGNETIC MEANS BEING IN RELEASABLEARRANGEMENT WITH SAID STACK AND SUPPORT MEANS WHEREBY SAID STACK ANDSUPPORT MEANS CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE INFLUENCE OF SAID MAGNETIC MEANSWITHOUT THE NEED FOR DISASSEMBLING SAID GRIDS, SAID GRIDS BEINGCOMPRESSED BETWEN SAID MAGNETS AND HAVING SUFFICIENT RIGIDITY TOGENERALLY PRESERVE SAID FRUSTO-CONICAL SHAPE; SAID MAGNETIZATION OF SAIDGRIDS AND THE INTERSTITIAL CHARACTER THEREOF BEING ADAPTED TO SEPARATESAID FERROUS AND NON-FERROUS PARTICLES FROM SAID FLUID.